Section II: Premodern Advances in Technology Flashcards
What allows clay to be made into porcelain?
a kiln
What did the Romans call concrete?
opus caementicium
What are the basic materials to make Roman concrete?
lime mortar, broken stone, sand, and water
When did Emperor Trojan die?
117 CE
At its peak, the Roman Empire conquered land in how many different continents?
3
Where was concrete first created?
the ancient Near East and Etruria
What sand was used to develop Roman concrete even more to make it stronger and more stable?
pozzolana sand
What is ashlar masonry?
cut-stone construction
How were concrete vaults superior to timbered vaults?
they were fireproof and had the ability to have windows added without worsening the structural integrity of the vault
What is one of the most technologically advanced structures built by the Romans?
the Pantheon
The Pantheon was constructed during the reign of which Roman emperor?
Emperor Hadrian
The Pantheon is dedicated to which 5 planetary gods?
Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Uranus, and Mercury
The word pantheon is derived from which Greek words?
pan and theos
What do pan and theos mean?
pan - all, theos - gods
When was the Pantheon beaten for its title as the largest dome in the world?
the 16th century
What structure has the largest unreinforced dome?
the Pantheon
How big is the oculus in the Pantheon?
it is 27 feet in diameter
Oculus means what in Latin?
eye
What is an oculus?
a hole at the top of something that allows people to see through
What is the only light source of the Pantheon?
the oculus
What are coffers?
square decorative tiles on a dome that lessen the weight of a structure
What is a portico?
a porch leading to the end of something, usually shaded and held up by columns
What are pediments?
gables placed above the lintel of a door
For a visitor in Ancient Rome, what would have the illuminated circle made by the oculus represented?
the eye of Jupiter
Who is Jupiter?
the supreme celestial god ruling over all the other Roman gods and people
What did the dome and the oculus symbolize?
eternity and perfection
The Pantheon was which Roman emperor’s favorite place to hold court?
Emperor Hadrian